Masterclass: Filming Commercials

Masterclass: Filming Commercials

Cinematographer, Videographer and SAE Instructor Ruurd M. Fenenga takes us behind the scenes of film sets for some of the most high-end commercials in the business including Nike "The Power of Three" and Ici Paris XL.

Ruurd talks technical aspects of the film sets, his shooting experience and the method used when lighting the green screen in the Nike commercial. The commercial was shot in 10 days in Barcelona, Madrid and Blackburn and features Ronaldo, Rooney, Ronaldihno and others.

Time Schedule

Presentation: 20.00h - 21.00h
Q & A: 21.00h - 21.30h

Ruurd Fenenga Bio

Ruurd M. Fenenga was “born into” and raised in the film industry in The Netherlands. His father, Ruurd M. Fenenga, Sr. , a cinematographer, producer and director, was his first mentor. By an opportune chance at the age of twenty-one, Ruurd went to Los Angeles and began working as a 1st assistant-cameraman. Worked on features like “The Hidden” and the tv-series of “Twin Peaks” (1990). He was able to work with such well-known cinematographers as Stuart Dryburgh, A.S.C., N.Z.C.S., ("Boardwalk Empire", "The Piano"), Jim Weisiger, V.F., ("Titanic"), and gained vast experience assisting on more than thirty-five feature films. Ruurd also worked on music videos with Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and MC Hammer ("U Can't Touch This"). As a cinematographer, Ruurd worked on a short film, "Pennyweight", which won a total of six prizes at various film festivals across the United States, and was also listed to be nominated for an Academy Award. He also worked on a feature film, "Paradise", with film stars Dee Wallace Stone ("E.T."), Barbara Carrera ("Never Say Never Again") and Timothy Bottoms ("The Last Picture Show"). Besides films, Ruurd’s experience has included commercials, corporate videos and current affairs programs in The Netherlands. Commercials include the "Nike" commercials: "Nike Federation", "Nike PO 3", and "Nike PO 3" trailer, all shot in various locations in Barcelona, Madrid and Blackburn (UK). These commercials featured soccer stars Ronaldinho, Rooney, Ronaldo and van Nistelrooij. Ruurd loves to share his rich experience as a filmmaker and teaches at various institutes and schools. He also instructs one-on-one workshops in composition, lighting, and with still photographers. A former (21 year old) student of Ruurd, asked him if he wanted to shoot his first feature film, "Schaduwspel". Ruurd shot the film, did the color grading for this project, and used his own camera, lighting, grip and audio equipment. As a reflection of this enthusiasm and dedication, cinematography encompasses much more than Ruurd’s passion, art and vocation; it is his way of seeing, moving through the world -- his entire way of being.